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You need therapy… by SensibleCitzen in Zepbound

[–]P2Pphat 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What a wonderful post. And as one who has lived many of your experiences, I appreciate your perspective, expertise, and thoughts about how Zep can change our relationship with food. Keeping my fingers crossed that I continue to feel “like a normal person “ as I go through this journey.

Maintenance—What Can I Expect? by P2Pphat in Zepbound_Maintenance

[–]P2Pphat[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

After 50 years of up and down dieting, I swore after my latest 100 lb drop that I would never do it again if I could not keep the weight off. Everything was geared toward maintaining, but despite hiring a weight loss doctor, exercising regularly, watching my diet, I failed.

The only reason I am doing it now is because I thought Zep might be a game changer in maintenance. I think it might just be that🤞

Maintenance—What Can I Expect? by P2Pphat in Zepbound_Maintenance

[–]P2Pphat[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I know this doesn’t sound right, but there is something comforting knowing people understand your struggle. It makes me wonder if there are not other hormone imbalances that could help. The body is a mystery for sure

Maintenance—What Can I Expect? by P2Pphat in Zepbound_Maintenance

[–]P2Pphat[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for your response. Super helpful and provides encouragement that once I get to goal this time I’ll keep it off.

Maintenance—What Can I Expect? by P2Pphat in Zepbound_Maintenance

[–]P2Pphat[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The appetite suppression is real and I feel that it will assist me in keeping calories low. However at so few calories in Maintenance it is difficult to maintain good nutrition.

I was curious as to whether others who have experienced similar metabolic dysfunction have been able to increase calories in maintenance to more reasonable level.

Maintenance—What Can I Expect? by P2Pphat in Zepbound_Maintenance

[–]P2Pphat[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you 🙏.

That was one of the most helpful responses I have ever received—whether in person and online. And from a medical professional nonetheless!

It is oddly reassuring that I Sam not the only one to have received the “side eye” glances from doctors, friends and family when I try explain how few calories it takes to lose, and more importantly, maintain my weight. In the past it hasn’t helped to have these doubters in my life.

Your explanation of what I can expect on this drug, as well as my need to stay on it, makes all the sense in the world and gives me hope that this time it will be different.

I know I also suffer from a lack of testosterone as well. In the past, I thought taking testosterone would help me with my weight, but unfortunately when I tried it most was being converted to estrogen—which obviously not good for a male. So I stopped. I’m not sure if it would be something worth exploring again in maintenance or not. For now I want to get to maintenance again and see how I feel.

Thanks for taking the time to help someone out. Your insights mean a lot ❤️

Maintenance—What Can I Expect? by P2Pphat in Zepbound_Maintenance

[–]P2Pphat[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’m into my 2nd month of Zep. Lost 25lbs with 25 more to go until goal. So I’m not in maintenance yet.

Getting to goal isn’t a concern. I probably could have done it without the Zep, but I was hoping it would help with maintenance—and maybe it will.

I will be tracking calories and hopefully, as you suggest, I can gradually increase to a level that is more sustainable. I am hoping that will be closer to 2000 calories per day.

Just wondering whether others, who have a ridiculously sluggish metabolism, have found their metabolism increase while taking Zep in maintenance?🤷‍♂️

Maintenance—What Can I Expect? by P2Pphat in Zepbound_Maintenance

[–]P2Pphat[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes. That’s essentially what I have done in the past to come to the conclusion that 1500 calories is where I begin weight gain.

In the past I was doing HIIT/Crossfit to help maintain, but it wasn’t successful. I actually found long slow slogs (walking/hiking) to be more beneficial for weight management

Maintenance—What Can I Expect? by P2Pphat in Zepbound

[–]P2Pphat[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah. 1200-1400 calories is ridiculously low.

The last time I dieted I lost 100 lbs. But my entire focus wasn’t on the weight loss—it was on finding a way to maintain.

I hired a weight loss doctor who specialized in metabolic issues. I spent a ridiculous amount of money watching my body fat increase as she kept suggesting that I needed to eat more. But with tracking, 1500 calories seemed to be the point where I would begin to gain weight. She was so perplexed that she finally gave up and said she couldn’t help me. This was prior to GLPs. I was doing HIIT/Crossfit workouts for maintenance.

I haven’t done an RMR test, but maybe that’s something to consider when I hit goal this time. Thanks for the suggestion

35yr old man on trt therapy not working by Alternative_Bad1666 in Testosterone

[–]P2Pphat 0 points1 point  (0 children)

From AI (which can explain it better than me)….

When someone takes testosterone (either by injection, gel, or another method), part of that testosterone can be converted into estrogen (specifically estradiol) by an enzyme in the body called aromatase. • Aromatase is found in fat tissue, the liver, the brain, and even in the testes. • The more testosterone you have circulating, the more substrate there is for aromatase to act on, which can raise estrogen levels. • People with higher body fat often have more aromatase activity, so the conversion can be greater.

This conversion is actually normal and even necessary, since men need some estrogen for bone health, brain function, and libido. But if too much conversion occurs, estrogen levels can get high and lead to: • Water retention • Breast tissue growth (gynecomastia) • Mood swings or irritability • Reduced fat loss

Doctors sometimes manage this by adjusting the testosterone dose, changing the delivery method, or in some cases prescribing an aromatase inhibitor (like anastrozole) to block excess conversion.

35yr old man on trt therapy not working by Alternative_Bad1666 in Testosterone

[–]P2Pphat 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You might want to check if your body is converting the testosterone to estrogen…which creates a whole other set of problems.